Implications for practice and research

Women need to be informed about the effect of treatment for breast cancer on sexual well-being.

Routine assessment of sexual well-being prior to, and on completion of, treatment for breast cancer should be conducted.

The training and resource needs of healthcare professionals should be identified to enable them to provide more information
on sexual well-being.

Context

Cancer treatment affects sexuality and physical intimacy during and often long after completion of treatment, with many cancer
survivors suffering from permanent sexual dysfunction.1,2 However, discussions relating to the effect of cancer treatment on sexual function are rarely initiated by healthcare professionals
either prior to treatment or during routine follow-up.1–4 …